The Wyvern's Spur - Kate Novak [94]
Surprisingly this last remark drew more of a response from Thomas. "I was just thinking that same thought earlier this very morning, ma'am," the servant agreed. "The more you try to warn some people, the stubborner they become, and there are some people who will deliberately do something the moment someone forbids them to, even if they wouldn't have dreamed of doing it ordinarily."
"The old forbidden fruit," Olive said.
"Precisely, ma'am."
"I'll be in the parlor, Thomas," Olive said, climbing down from her high chair.
"Very good, ma'am."
Olive left the dining room through the doors to the main hall, closing them behind her. She crossed to the parlor, opened the door, and closed it again loudly, but remained in the hall.
She then hiked up her gown and shot up the stairs.
Six closed doors lined the upper hallway. Five keyholes later, the halfling discovered which was the enchantress's room. It was a large, comfortable bedroom decorated in hues of lavender.
One of the windows was open, and, as Olive watched through the keyhole, a large, familiar raven flew in through the window. Another quick arrival, noted the halfling. Where is this man hiding when he isn't terrorizing people?
Cat stood in the center of the room, her head bowed but her body obviously tensed, while her master transformed into a human.
"Well, Catling?" Flattery asked.
"Someone tried to kill me last night," the mage said with annoyance in her voice. She looked up at Flattery.
"Really? So?" the wizard asked without concern.
"I thought it was you," she said, glaring at her master.
Flattery sat on the bed and swung his wet boots onto the coverlet. "You wouldn't be breathing now if it had been me."
"Unless you meant it as a warning."
"Do you need warning, Catling?"
"I'm doing all I can," the woman insisted. "I want the memory crystal."
"You'll get it just as soon as I have the spur," Flattery said offhandedly, stifling a yawn.
"I want to see it," Cat insisted.
"I haven't brought it with me," Flattery retorted. His eyes narrowed into angry slits.
"You're sure you have it?" Cat demanded.
Flattery bounced from the bed and leaped at Cat, grabbing her by the throat with one hand in a fluid motion. His face was dark with anger. "I don't think I care for your tone, woman."
"Did you murder Drone Wyvernspur?" Cat gasped, trying to keep her face passive.
"Who told you that?" Flattery asked, his brow furrowed with curiosity.
"Giogi thinks you did," Cat answered in a tight whisper.
"And who gave him that idea?" Flattery demanded, shaking the mage by her neck.
"His servant, Thomas," Cat gasped.
The wizard released the woman. Cat slumped back, raising one of her delicate hands to her neck.
"A servant. And how could he know?" Flattery mused.
"You did murder Drone, then," Cat stated.
"Not exactly," Flattery said with a grin. "Something less handsome than I and much less lively did it. Unfortunately, that agent did not return to report its success or whether it found anything in the wizard's tower. Undead can be so unreliable."
"How many other people have you killed?" Cat asked, aghast.
Flattery's face clouded again. "Don't ask stupid questions, or I could become a widower."
"You haven't made yourself a husband yet," Cat shot back. "You've never even kissed me."
"Is that still bothering you, Catling? Come here." Flattery pulled the mage roughly toward him. His embrace might have snapped her back had it been any tighter. He forced his mouth down on her own.
Unable to risk a scream, Cat struggled silently to break away, but Flattery dug his nails into her back. The woman went limp. Flattery pushed her away and held her at arm's length by her shoulders.
"You want the stupidest things," he spat, obviously annoyed that she hadn't continued to put up a fight. "Get me the spur, and I'll deliver. Now, what progress has Giogioni made?"
"None," Cat answered weakly, looking away.
"None!" Flattery growled, cuffing Cat's ear. "I knew you were wasting your time."
"I still think Giogi